A Slayer's Daughter

13

I stared at her, trying to understand what she was saying, but I had heard her right.

"What do you mean, my biological father?"

She looked frustrated, but didn't stop.

"You're not...that is to say, who you believed to be your father, is not your father."

"Then who is it?!" I demanded, but she didn't say more. I called Mina and she changed to her big size. I climbed on her back and we headed back to the house.

"Alex!" Jacelyn called after me, but I was long gone for her to stop me.

At the house, I ran in and found Lillian with John, and to my surprise, Chris and Dalton. They all turned to look at me as I went up to Lillian.

"No more secrets, Lillian, I want the whole damn truth now!"

"What do you mean, sweetheart?"

"Who is my father, Lillian? It wasn't...him.. then who the hell is it?"

Lillian went pale, and looked around at the others. Everyone's eyes were on her now. She swallowed but stood up. Went over to a decorative box she had by the fireplace mantle. Opened it and handed me what looked like a letter. In my mother's hand writing. It was dated nine months before I was born.

I looked up at Lillian, who just stood back. I opened the letter and started to read:

"My dear Lillian,

I hope you are well, because I am beside myself with anguish. I saw him, Lillian. The one man I had wanted to be with for the rest of my mortal life, found me. One night was all we had, and I was weak..Lillian, I've never been so reckless. I let my emotions run away with me, I gave myself to him. One marvelous night will forever be with me."

I dropped onto the couch. Then Lillian gave me another letter.

It was dated the day after my birth.

"Dear Lillian,

My child was born this day, my daughter. Yes, a daughter, Felipe, knows of my transgression. For in his line no female has ever been born. He knows my baby girl is not his blood. He tried to take her from me, but I would rather die before I let him. My dear friend, I know I have asked to much in the past, but if the worst comes to call, I beg you take my child and raise her as your own, protect her and teach her in the ways of her people, I'll give word when I know for sure."

I looked up at Lillian.

"What happened?"

"Nothing, Mateo, went to hopefully bring you back with him, but Felipe refused. He was going to turn you into what he was, to erase who your father was."

"Who's my father, Lillian? Does he even know about me, did he even care about us?"

"Sweetie, he knows, and he loved your mother fiercely, but he and Sorina knew if they ran away that was sentencing her people and him to death."

"Then what the hell did all their power matter if none used it?!"

Lillian looked stumped. I gave her back the letter.

"Their magic wasn't made for war, Alex, they were healers. You tell me what are the odds of them surviving an attack!" she said sternly.

I didn't answer, I just walked out of the living room and out the door. Not really caring, I just went down the running path, and just ran and ran, not even noticing where I was going. I stopped when I tripped and face planted. I just laid there sweating, crying and just angry.

"You really get some distance when you're mad." I heard behind me as Chris casually walked toward me.

"I'm not in the mood for jokes!"

"Just trying to compliment you, but sorry." He took a seat next to me on the ground, not saying anything.

"Why are you here Chris?" I asked him, sitting on my knees.

"Dalton, doesn't seem to know how to deal with a pissed off chick."

"Please. He's better at it than you are, you love pouring salt into the wound."

He laughed, which in turn made me laugh a little. We were silent again, there was a full moon out tonight.

"Come on."

"What? Where?"

"We are in Nevada. I know of some hot springs close by."

"I can only imagine who else you've taken there, so, no."

"A whole lot of people have gone to it, not just me. Besides, it will help. Come on."

He helped me to my feet, but I winced when I put weight on my left foot. He caught me.

"What happened?"

"I twisted my ankle when I tripped. Just help me get back to the house."

He looked at me, then carefully, bent down and checked my ankle. His hands were so gentle.

"It was just a bad step. By tomorrow you should be fine. I'll just have to carry you to the springs."

"What, no?" I said, but he pulled me into him, and swung me onto his back.

"Hold on!" he said and in a rush of air we were off.

I bent my face into his shoulder, and tightened my grip. Then we stopped. I looked up and saw small holes filled with water, with stream coming out of them. Surrounded with green, thick bushes, and trees.

"Wow, how hot are these things?"

"Not too bad, now with winter on the way, the temperatures are going down, cold enough to get into but warm enough to ease muscle aches."

He started to take his clothes off, until he was down to his briefs.

"Um..hee, I don't think I can..um..get in."

"Underwear is just like wearing a bathing suit just..."

"That's not the problem..it's just I'm not wearing any, under my clothes."

Chris turned to look at me, his eyes suddenly scanning me. I felt my face go bright red.

"You scared of being completely naked in front of me?"

"Again, if it were Dalton, probably not, he's seen his share of naked people, but you.."

"My eyes aren't virgins, Alex, I've seen my share too."

"Yeah, but wolves don't gawk, so no thanks."

"What if I turn away, cover my eyes, and let you get in first?"

I wanted to laugh, I knew he'd look, but I really did want to get into the spring.

"Fine, deal, turn around."

He covered his eyes, and turned around. I took off my workout clothes and put them in a pile, and carefully got into the water. I sighed in relief as I felt my muscles just relax.

"So those scars, what are they from?"

"A mix of things, fights I've been in from hunts, and some...beatings from my...Dad."

"He'd whip you..with a whip?"

"Yup, some use belts or shoes just to scare the kid right, my dad wanted you scared shitless."

"Sounds like my Dad."

"Really, let me guess Politician?"

"Sort of he was a noble man, and he wanted his sons to be as such."

"Chris, how old are you?"

He smiled, as he thought for a minute.

"600- years give or take."

"Still looking good for an old man."

He laughed but seemed to get lost in thought.

"My father did whatever it took to be in his majesty's good graces, even went as far as to sell my sister to the prince. She died in child birth with the baby. Then my oldest brother went to war and became a general. He died on his third tour and they never found his body. I was the rebel, the youngest of three. He forced me to take my brother's place in the army. I was doing fine, until they told us to burn down the whole town. They believed they were witches, it was worse."

"Why? What were they?"

"When we got there, the town was a mere village, one that had already been abandoned for a while from the looks of it. We looked around, it was an ambush. Vampires. Just tore through every man standing. For some reason, the leader took a liking to a handful of us, and turned us."

He looked at me, his eyes still holding the shadows of what he had seen. He blinked a little and looked away with a chuckle.

"Did you ever know what happened to your Father?"

"Like everything, the king lost interest in him, he became a nobody. Alone."

"What about your mother?"

"She died when I was born."

I felt for him, but at the same time, it explained a lot. I sat back and moved my ankle under the water.

"The world is messed up."

"That is for sure."

He looked at me, and I became aware. Then the internal debate started. I wanted...something, not even sure what. Before I could chicken out, I went toward him. He didn't budge, just watched me as I got closer. Or at least until I was close enough he pulled me on top of him, I was straddling him more or less. I could feel him, and that just got me even more excited.

He kissed me and I him. As his hands ran along my back, down to my ass, and along my legs. My hands were in his hair and around his neck, as we made out. That was until he went down along my neck, and I felt him bite me. I've never been bitten, so I couldn't even say if it was normal, but I wouldn't mind it ever, and craved it from time to time.

"Chris." I gasped, as he slowly stopped.

"Alex," he whispered in my ear, and kissed me again. I could taste my blood on his lips.

It just took a second to snap out of it, and I saw something.A glimpse of a vision. That was enough to just kill the mood right there and then. I got off of him. He looked surprised.

"How could I be so stupid?" I said, jumping up, not even aware of my ankle anymore. I called Mina.

"Alex, what are you talking about?"

"You have a girlfriend, Chris, I'm not going to be your damn toy, you want something to play with, then find someone else!"

He had his clothes on faster then I did, I got mine on, just as Mina broke through the bushes.

"Alex, I'm not...I'm not trying to play with you."

"Yeah, whatever, let's go!" I told Mina and I climbed on. Leaving Chris by the spring. Once I was back at the house, I just headed up to my room, Mina right at my heels. Once up there, I gave her some treats, and changed my clothes. Just sat on my bed.

"Can I say something?" I heard in my head, as I looked down at little Mina, who was giving me this look.

"I didn't know you could." I said, letting her get on the bed with me.

"Well, I haven't really had much to say, but from all your friends, that one seems to want you more."

"Not enough."

"Humans are so complicated, they see and hear, but they still don't want to believe."

" It's a complicated life, but thank you for your thoughts."

Mina then came up to lick me, then headed back downstairs.

Yes, some of Chris's actions show me he wants me, but his words and the rest of his actions say differently. I groaned as I plopped onto the bed, and just let my now relaxed body slip into sleep.

He was in my dream. We were making love, and I craved his touch, his lips, everything. He made me feel loved and wanted. The only thing was, I could never see his face. It was always in shadow, but I didn't mind, I just wanted him, only him.

"Alex." he whispered my name, as he claimed my body as his.

I woke up with a jolt, looking around, and realizing I was alone. I ached like I've never ached for someone before.

I jumped when Mina banged against the door, trying to be let in.

"Coming!" I said, trying to shake off what I was feeling, and got up and headed down stairs.